Newspaper reports from 1927-8 show that Fern Gully was perceived as something of a challenge to motor cycles, as it was to motor cars. The problems caused by using the Gully as a major cross-island route were already being created.

Daily Gleaner, May 25,
1927

OUTING
OF MOTOR CYCLISTS.

Yesterday morning members of the Jamaica Motor Cycle

Association 32 in number, left Kingston on
an outing to Dunn's

River. The day was
an ideal one for motor cycling and
the run

was very delightful in spite
of a few falls. Arriving by way of
the

Fern Gully at Dunn's River, the
party had a picnic and enjoyed

bathing
in sea and river. They then left
for the homeward

journey going around St.
Ann's Bay, where luncheon was served.

Rain
fell between Bog Walk and Kingston but this did not in any

way affect the
spirit of the
cyclists.

Daily Gleaner, May 26,
1927

EXCURSION
OF MOTOR CYCLISTS TO DUNN'S RIVER

.
. .

Fern
Gully was the next point of intense
excitement. The

negotiation of the curves at
this point was superb and only one
rider - on a Francis-Barnett - came to
grief. This augers well for

the organizers
and is a tribute to the controlability
of the motor

cycle.

It
is with reluctance that we have to
report ignorance, selfishness

and inconsideration
on the part of chauffeurs and taxi-men
who, on many occasions, were guilty of
most indiscretionate driving.

Several of the
motor cyclists, while travelling on their
correct side, were forced into ditches and
had not the machines, on such

occasions,
been skilfully handled,
the results would have been

disastrous. .
. .

In 1928 motor cyclists celebrated August 1st with a major reliability trial.

Daily Gleaner, July 24,
1928

The
Motor CycleReliability Trial

The
first stop for a rest will be at Ocho Rios, not Rio Nuevo as

stated
yesterday. Fern Gully is a stiff climb
and one wonders if

riders will be able
to enjoy the exquisite scenery.
No doubt they

will appreciate the cool
shade for around 9 a.m. the sun
will be

making its presence felt.

Daily Gleaner, August 3,
1928

Bubb
Clark (B.S.A.) reckoned that he had a
narrow escape from

destruction. "I was
going up Fern Gully,” he said, " in second

speed at 12 to 15 m.p.h.
A motor car came down on the wrong
side and if I had not promptly run
into the bank and jumped off